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“Cebu Provincial Farm & Family Day, welcoming farmers and fisher folk from all over the island for fun competitions including net mending and traditional rice cleaning races. Here, a woman cleans the rice by shaking and tossing it to filter fine particles away from the grains.”
- Philippines Volunteer Jessica
Golden, flaky deliciousness from Peace Corps Philippines.
Today, I visited the Barangay of Bagong Sirang (New Shine/Sunrise) to help them choose a spot for their brand spankin’ new Fish Sanctuary (Marine Protected Area). I went in assuming there would be okay-ish coral cover, and I was completely blown away. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. We visited several different spots, ranging from very shallow to quite deep (I will have to return with SCUBA gear). The reef is called Gamban Reef and it is astounding. And the local fisherfolk want to protect it, not onlly to increase their own fish catch, but also to ensure that their children and their children’s children will be able to benefit from the same natural resources they do now. It is inspiring. We discussed the best plaes for a fish sanctuary, enforcing it, and building little huts out on the water for the gaurds to rest in and for snorkelers to hang out in.
I could not have asked for a more perfect host brother. Arjhay is hysterical, mischievous, and intelligent. I will miss playing make believe with him and how he would tell me obvious things in loud/slow Tagalog (”Kuya James, wash your hands before you eat!”).
We shared a birthday for a reason!
Some pictures from the last two weeks!
Snapshot of life as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines.
“This photo was taken at a local school during an earthquake drill conducted by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council of Roxas City, Philippines. The students are instructed to duck, cover, and hold during the drill and then to evacuate to a designated assembly area. These students continue to cover while waiting for the all clear.”
A cool evening thanks to an unexpected storm and a chance to work on perfecting my black bean soup!
The Philippines puts on some awesome sunsets.
(Source: pcvmichelle-blog)
I hope you never tire of pictures of my students because I never will.
We love seeing happy, excited students.
A local fisherman repairs his fishing net in the Philippines.
There are 147 volunteers in the Philippines working with their communities on projects in education, youth development and the environment. More than 8,860 Peace Corps volunteers have served in the Philippines since the program was established in 1961.
